Bike etiquette on the Camino

September is one of the busiest months on the Camino, with walkers and cyclists sharing the trails. Understanding good bike etiquette on the Camino is essential to ensure a safe, respectful, and enjoyable experience for everyone. As cycling continues to grow in popularity, knowing how to ride considerately helps preserve the unique spirit of the Camino de Santiago.

You can travel most of the Camino de Santiago stages and routes by bike (a mountain bike is probably the best option). In general, you will be cycling double the amount of kms covered by pilgrims on foot. For example, you will be able to cover the whole Camino Frances in two weeks or the Camino Portugues from Porto in just over a week. You can travel most Camino routes by bike, often covering double the daily distance of walkers. If you’re new to cycling the Camino de Santiago, it’s worth understanding how cycling works and how to share the trail responsibly.

As the routes get busier with walkers and cyclists, particularly the Camino Frances, it is essential to keep specific basic rules in mind to make the Camino experience a great one for everyone: walkers and cyclists alike. Some basic rules apply:

• Be heard: If you are cycling and following the same path as the walkers, make sure you make yourself heard with your bell for example or with a ‘Buen Camino!’ or another salute as you approach them.
• Listen: as a walker, don’t get irritated by bike bells; this is just the best way for cyclists to let you know they are approaching.
• Alternative routes: as a cyclist, be aware that in certain areas, you might be able to follow an alternative way, more suitable for bikes and away from walkers. This information is generally available in guidebooks/maps and signposted in some parts of the Camino trail.
• Narrow paths: It might be easier to get off your bike in narrow areas busy with walkers.
• Respect other pilgrims: it all comes down to the simple rule of respecting other pilgrims, above all, be polite to other, more vulnerable users of the route. For example, keep your speed low in busy stretches to avoid surprises. Walkers should also be aware the trail is shared with cyclists so if there is a path provided for walkers, separately from cyclists, please stay on that path and respect the cycling lane. If encountering pilgrims on horseback, give them enough space when overtaking so the animals don’t get scared.

–Be Safe: Cyclists are required by Spanish law to wear a helmet outside urban areas. You can read more about when a helmet is required on the Camino here.

If you want to cycle the Camino on the Camino Francés, you can explore our cycling packages for bicigrinos and Camino pilgrims by bike, or browse our Camino cycling collection to discover routes and itineraries designed specifically for cycling.

For more information about the Camino de Santiago by bike or to book your cycling holiday, contact our travel specialists

Respecting walkers, fellow cyclists, and the trail itself is at the heart of the Camino experience. Good bike etiquette not only keeps everyone safe but also preserves the sense of community that makes the Camino so special.

If you’re considering cycling, you may also want to read our overview of  cycling the Camino de Santiago or explore specific cycling routes to find the option that suits you best.